Scouting Report: Questions surround LA's back four

Visitors begin '12 without club's most critical defensive piece

David Beckham and the Galaxy will be missing a crucial piece when they take on Toronto FC in the opening leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals at the Rogers Centre tonight. (ERNEST DOROSZUK, QMI Agency)

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The L.A. Galaxy enters tonight's match with a similar lineup to the one that saw the Galacticos capture last year's MLS Cup after running away with the league table.

Dropping just five MLS matches in 2011, the return of Edson Buddle, who scored 17 times for L.A. in 2010, would appear to tip things further in favour of the visitors when Toronto hosts the Galaxy in the opening leg of tonight's Champions League quarterfinal.

But on its way to acquiring 67 points -- 34 more than TFC during last year's regular season -- and finishing at the top of a difficult Champions League group, much of the Galaxy's success hinged on two-time MLS Best 11 centre back Omar Gonzalez, who will miss most, if not all, of this season after suffering a serious knee injury during the off-season.

For all the depth the Galaxy has, head coach Bruce Arena has failed to find a proven replacement, capable of filling the boots of the Galaxy's former lynchpin -- a weakness that leaves an opening for an improved Toronto attack to take advantage of an L.A. back four that¹s still coming to terms with the loss.

The Galaxy's defensive void eliminates a player that would have matched up well against Danny Koevermans. Instead, the Dutch target will likely find an easier go of it with an undersized A.J. DeLaGarza and either Andrew Boyens or Tommy Meyer paired centrally, the latter of which is in his rookie season.

In a somewhat similar scenario, Toronto comes in without a critical piece. Due to yellow-card accumulation in the previous round, Canadian international Julian de Guzman will watch tonight's match from the 500 level.

Similarly, winger Nick Soolsma is suspended and midfielder Eric Avila is ineligible due to his name appearing on an FC Dallas roster earlier in the tournament.

Two of the three absences highlight a midfield that will likely feature rookie Luis Silva and role-playing midfielder Terry Dunfield, who has taken heat of late for his inability to press forward and provide solutions that aren't lateral or backwards.

As a result, should head coach Aron Winter sit Torsten Frings back in what has become a familiar 5-4-1 defensive system, TFC's outside backs will prove crucial if the club hopes to have success going forward.

Toronto's 5-4-1 defensive block typically transitions into a 3-4-3 attack with Richard Eckersley and Ashtone Morgan flying up the wings. Although we didn't see a great deal of it during Toronto's three competitive pre-season friendlies last week, TFC must find a way to use its width.

If the pair regularly provides Koevermans quality service inside the area, Toronto's Designated Player has substantially more quality than either of the Galaxy's two centre backs.

But for all the pressure thrust upon a diminished Galaxy back line, tonight's match will go a long way in telling us if TFC's front office has finally solved the club's deplorable defence. The Reds conceded more than any other MLS club in 2011.

Chilean left-centre back Miguel Aceval's first test will be to contain Irish international Robbie Keane. Additionally, the left-sided defensive pairing of Morgan and Aceval might have to close down U.S. international Landon Donovan.

Fresh off a loan to Everton, Donovan could feature on the right side of midfield in an effort to isolate Toronto's young left back. Donovan continues to chase full match fitness after battling bronchitis last week and could start Wednesday's match on the sideline.

Despite offering loads of talent up front, both sides have a lot to prove at the back -- a storyline that could provide for an open affair that should entertain what is expected to be a capacity crowd.

The Reds must avoid a multiple goal loss for a chance next week to become the first club to upset the Galaxy at home in 20 matches.